No Mourning

The moment they entered the auditorium, everyone was already there. The pack was exceptional and ready for anything. Even if someone was at the bottom of the mountain and got the link, they knew they had to get there as fast as possible.

Alpha Ciandra motioned them to sit, they lowered themselves, and Alpha Ciandra went directly to the point, “as you all know, I will be leaving in a few weeks, and with no news from Alpha Craton, Beta Garrick will take over for me while I am gone.”

Neither did anyone whisper nor shoot their hands up to ask where Alpha Craton was, why Beta Garrick had to take over and not someone else, or even when Alpha Ciandra was going to return. Nothing. The hall was silent as the words sunk in, waiting for Alpha Ciandra to continue talking.

In less than thirty minutes, the meeting ended and everyone returned to their training.

On her way to her office, she ignored the footsteps behind her, it was Beta Garrick trying his best to act as though he wasn’t there. “I will summon for you when the time is right.” Alpha Ciandra said while shutting the door to his face.

“Are you sure? Why don’t I come in and watch you work, I might learn something from it.” Beta Garrick replied.

“Beta Garrick.”

The commanding tone from Alpha Ciandra said it all, and Beta Garrick had nothing to do but leave her alone.

With the pack aware of her and her father’s predicament, she decided to leave the office and the pack for a smooth transition for Beta Garrick. She picked up her schedule book and began planning the time and where she would be for the next few days.

No one disturbed her, and she stayed in the office for the whole night. By the time she heard the chatter from the werewolves outside, Alpha Ciandra stretched her body and left to shower. She sent a mindlink Beta Garrick, “gather the teenagers for me.”

“Yes, Alpha Ciandra.”

Alpha Ciandra was trained to be in control for all her life, and she promised herself not to break down just because daddy wasn’t back yet. She finished showering, dressed up, and met the teenagers on the field. “It is a nice morning, isn’t it?” She asked, smiling.

“Yes, Alpha Ciandra.” They replied in unison.

“Good, I am glad your training is going well. Do I need to wish any of you luck before I leave?”

“No, Alpha Ciandra.”

Their answers were robotic-like, and they meant what they said. Alpha Ciandra saw Beta Garrick approaching her, she took a step backward and finished, “one more thing, rest when you are required to rest. You can’t be a good warrior if you are burnt out. No competing with one another, we are one and we should aim at growing stronger, together. A weak wolf does what?” 

“She or he fails at her mission.” The wolves shouted. 

Nodding encouragingly, Alpha Ciandra finished, “let us aim at being the best of the best.”  

“Yes, thank you, Alpha Ciandra.” They tilted their heads slightly as she walked away from them.

“How are you?” Beta Garrick asked.

“I am okay.” Alpha Ciandra responded with finality in her voice.

They headed to the gate. Again, she ignored the looks she got from Beta Garrick, when they reached the gate, she couldn’t take it anymore, so she spun around, “if you can’t get your eyes off of me, you must return and read the notes I made for you, they are on my office.”

Beta Garrick looked down with respect. 

“That is what I thought.” Alpha Ciandra turned around, waved at the wolf at the gate, and off they left to the first place she wished to visit before she left.

Reaching the Shutter Haven, a house for pregnant, broken, and rejected wolves, gratitude and passion ran deep in her veins. She encouraged everyone to love and to be there for each other, and she finished by promising them the Vagabond Pack wouldn’t forget them after her departure, and if they did, they would never be forgiven.  

“What are you looking at?” She asked Beta Garrick on their way out of Shutter Haven.

“Why are you sweet at them and not to us?” Asked Beta Garrick with no shame at all.

“Don’t tell me you need mama’s love.” Alpha Ciandra mocked.

“I mean…”

“I said, watch your mouth, Garrick.” Alpha Ciandra wasn’t looking forward to listening to whatever Beta Garrick had to say, any other day, she would have entertained him, but today, no. Remaining focused was her aim. Furthermore, Beta Garrick knew why she acted the way she did while they were at the Shutter Haven.

Pryden, House of Noirin was next, it was a brothel built by Alpha Ciandra’s great-grandfather. Her words carried meaning, and promises and most importantly, showed them they were not alone. In no time, she only had Beta Garrick to speak to. 

Returning to the pack, she was in a gloomy mood, and she thanked the moon goddess for not making Beta Garrick open his mouth once more or even stare at her with worry in his eyes.

They arrived inside the pack, checked the wolves in session, encouraged them one last time, and then returned to her office where she found Beta Garrick waiting with his legs shaking up and down.

“For a beta, you are scared to guide a pack you have known for ages. You knew this would happen. Now get your shit together.” She ordered.

“You need to mourn.” Beta Garrick’s advised his voice barely a whisper.

“What I need you to do is to be a beta, Garrick, do you want me to choose someone else?”

“No.” He jumped, making Alpha Ciandra amused.

For a week, she kept alternating between training, talking to the wolves, and advising Beta Garrick. All the while, Alpha Ciandra kept pushing down the need to go down on her knees and break down, she missed her father so dearly, he was her pillar, and not once did she ever she would leave the pack without knowing he was right here waiting for her return so they would lead the pack together like father and daughter.

No one asked how she was doing or her feelings, and she was grateful for it. Days passed by so fast that she wondered if it was waiting for her to move quickly. One morning, after her session with Beta Garrick, Alpha Ciandra said, “I am satisfied with how faster you have learned, and since I am still here, in case of anything, ask me, okay?”

“Yes, Alpha Ciandra, I wish you well.”

“You know I don’t need it. If only, you are the one who needs it.”

For a moment, Alpha Ciandra acted the way she used to act whenever she was with Beta Garrick, and for a second, they maintained eye contact, the intense feelings in their eyes said it all, and the air in the atmosphere dropped. 

However, Beta Garrick destroyed the moment by saying, “are you sure you are okay to leave?”

The expression on her face turned cold, she turned on her heels, she was a strong woman with a promise to herself not to break her best friend's chest.